Tulsi or the sacred Basil plant is well known for its
medicinal properties and is found in front of many Hindu homes. But why is
Tulsi plant found in front of all Hindu homes? It is because Lord Vishnu had
stated no puja will be complete without offering of Tulsi leaves to Him.

Demon Jalandhar (also known as Shanka Chuda) was so powerful
that he drove out the Devas from heaven and established his rule. Devas could
not defeat Jalandhar because no weapon could harm him. The demon was powerful
because his chaste wife, Vrinda. The pious lady thought of no other men and her
prayers and spirituality made her husband invincible.

Vrinda was pious but her husband was using her piety to
spread Adharma on earth. To restore Dharma, Vishnu agreed to help the Devas.

Vrinda had always prayed to Vishnu that she should have
darshan of Him. Vishnu appeared before in the form of her husband. She served
him without realizing that it was Vishnu and not her husband.

Having served another man, Vrinda was no longer chaste and
this made Demon Jalandhar vulnerable to weapons and he was overpowered and
killed by Devas.

The demons now accused Vrinda of being unfaithful. Vrinda
told the world that she had served no one other than her husband. But no one
believed her. She then went to Vaikunta to Vishnu to ask him to be her witness.

But she was stopped by Goddess Lakshmi, who was jealous of
her as she had served Vishnu. Goddess Lakshmi accused her of being unfaithful
by serving Vishnu.

Vrinda then realized that the man whom she had served before
her husband died was Vishnu. In a fit of anger, she cursed Vishnu to be born as
a Shaligram stone. She also transformed into a Tulsi plant and refused to move
from the courtyard of Vaikunta.

Vishnu who knew Tulsi was innocent and faithful, declared
that no worship of Him will be complete without offering Tulsi leaves.

From that day Hindu homes started having a Tulsi
plant in the courtyard.